Van Andel Institute researchers discovered an alternative metabolic route cancer cells use to convert the ketone β-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB) into acetyl-CoA, a crucial precursor for fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis. Contrary to prior beliefs that glucose is the primary fuel, cancer cells flexibly leverage β-OHB metabolism even when glucose is abundant. This metabolic plasticity implies potential new targets for cancer therapy and adds complexity to understanding diet’s influence on cancer progression. Findings were published in Nature Metabolism.